Revisiting an old friend...

When I'm feeling sentimental Doooooovul always hits the spot. Expo is great! Enjoy your beer and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

One of my earliest favorites was Redhook ESB, and I still like to check back on it every once in a while. It's not my favorite now, but it's cool to have a 20 year baseline for my palate's changes.

 

Last time I drank an oldie but goodie was Alpha King. Did not want to drink it, but when I did, I so forgot how good this beer still is. Three Floyd's flagship beer!

 

I feel that way about 211. When I've had a rough day and all I have is three dollars to my name.

 

Has your palate changed or has the beer? I had ESB few years back and it wasn't the same at all as what I remembered it as in the early 90's.

 

For me...I think it would have to be either Orval, Fraoch, or Delirium Tremens.

Fraoch: The first craft beer I ever bought. I really should buy it more, since it's freakin' fantastic

Delirium Tremens: Nothing needs to be said. Just perfect for its style

Orval: Every once in a while, tucked away in a back corner of some podunk little bottle shop, I'll find a few really old bottles of Orval (4+ years old). I grab them every opportunity I get, and quickly remember why this is one of the greatest beers ever made; especially when well-aged and the brett takes over.

 

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale & Anchor Steam. 'Nuff said.

 

Rochefort 10. This was the absolute pinnacle of beer for me 7 or 8 years ago when I first got into craft. Then came all kinds of imperial stouts and the onslaught of barrel aging and barrel-aged variants, and super fresh double IPAs. Somewhere along the line Rochefort got lost in the shuffle of all the amazing stuff breweries have been doing stateside. But every so often I'll grab a bottle, and it's always a tasty treat.

 

Tried Orval for the first time since 1980- and still hated it (though I think the price hadn't changed much).

 

It's good check in w/ old friends. Plus Expedition is very good.

I had to do that with weyerbacher double simcoe the other day. I used to drink it in college over a decade ago. Nice to see that nothing's changed.

And as an long time redhook ESB fan, I agree, it's a little maltier and less crisp than back in the day, but I'll still have a pint or 2 with my crab legs once or twice a year.

Old staples are good for informing us of how our palates and the industry has evolved (or not).

 

Redhook ESB is a good one. Summit EPA. SNPA. Boulevard Wheat. Honkers Ale etc. All were good gateway beers for me.

Wish the original Pete's Wicked could be had. Would enjoy giving that beer another spin.

 

Breakfast stout I remember not being wowed by the first time I had it but after having it cellared for a year it was.

 

I consider GI Bourbon County Brand Stout an old friend.

 

Absolutely agree! Duval was the first Belgian beer I ever had and I usually don't pick it up now because it's a tad expensive. But when I want to remember my first ventures into craft beer, I reach for a Duval or funny enough something from Bell's.

 

Smithwicks and 60 Minute are like this for me. I don't drink them often anymore, but I never regret it when I do.

 

Torpedo. My first IPA. When in doubt, I pick it up. Never disappoints.

 

Stone IPA. When I go back to it I'm instantly reminded of why I got into craft beer. It isn't as mind blowing to me as it used to be but it's still great.

 

Anchor Porter

 

SNPA. I often neglect it, but I always enjoy it, and its significance with regard to all that came after it cannot be understated.